The Commission at its 837th meeting held on 03/11/2011 having considered the memo on Terms of Reference of the Standing Committee on the Teaching of English decided to recast the purpose and the functions of the Standing Committee.

Accordingly, the Standing Committee on the Teaching of English at its 65th meeting held on 18th July 2012 having discussed the Terms of Reference of the Standing Committee and recommended the same for the approval of the Commission.

Purpose

To provide a consultative forum for deliberations on matters related to learning, teaching, research and staffing in the universitiesof Sri Lanka, with particular reference to the requirements of the teaching of English Language as a second language for undergraduates and make recommendations to the Commission for consideration and approval, if required.

Accordingly, the name of the Standing Committee is changed as “Standing Committee on Teaching of English as a Second Language”.

Functions

Initiate actions on policy directives issued by the UGC/ Ministry of Higher Education from time to time and take steps to implement prescribed initiatives, programmes and activities at university/campus/institute level.

Evaluate proposals submitted by Universities/Institutes with respect to curricular reforms and curricular for Teaching Programme for English as a second language for undergraduate

Assist in the formulation and dissemination of policies, practise and procedures

Frame guidelines for teaching programme for English as a second language to undergraduate degree programmes, namely,

Ways and means of evaluating need and demand,

Determine relevant competencies in English language & communication skills in demand (as assessed through market surveys) and recommend the credit & University Test Of English Language benchmark (UTEL) for teaching English as a second language specific to the respective study programmes.

Courses and intended learning outcomes, and contents for course modules and

Assessment & Evaluation procedures

Membership

I. Member of UGC, nominated by Chair, UGC (as the Chairperson)

II. Secretary to Standing Committee, nominated by UGC

III. Heads of English Language Teaching Units/Centers (ELTUs/ELTCs)

IV. Three to four members of Senior Academic Staff with expertise in the discipline of teaching of English, appointed by the UGC

V. Director/PGIE

Note : Chairperson in concurrence with the membership may invite any other person as and when required to obtain views, opinions and advice on matters of importance placed before the Standing Committee.